The only samples frozen indefinitely are the ones that have already tested positive - a classic case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

He said: ‘At the moment, we're not allowed to close footpaths until we get swine fever, which really is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.’

It may be a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, but given the very real sense of injustice felt an explanation from the powers that be is the very least that City and its fans deserve.